In an effort to prepare for this year’s Treasure Island Music Festival, I’ve decided to spend some of the week getting to know, and hear the scheduled artists.

Thao with The Get Down Stay DownFor Thao Nguyen, the adorable 23-year-old Virginia-bred cheekysongwriter, things have come a long way since her 2006 appearanceon the KRS compilation, The Sound the Hare Heard. Last year, Thaogave us her sophmore release We Brave Bee Stings and All, a perky, tweeguitar and vox-filled album. She and Justin Power, a Portlandsongerwriter, have most recently collaborated with Kill RockStars labelmates Portland Cello Project. While comparisons maydraw this Washington, DC/San Francisco bi-coaster to Feist, Thao’sbuoyant songs and nuevo guitar skills armed with plucking tools,toothbrush or sharpie pen, horns, and a full rhythm section withher band, The Get Down Stay Down, make her delightfully unique.–CAROLINE PARTAMIAN